Best Carolina BBQ Meat Sauce

"I can't take all the credit for this stuff. I have had to search, and snoop and experiment to get it right. (Thanks Big Daddy's!) But I've had barbeque in some of the best little places in the Carolina's, and this stuff rules there! Fantastic on pork! Or try brushing some on chicken as it finishes off the grill! Use fresh ground peppers for the best flavor. This will keep in fridge for a couple of weeks."

Directions

In a heavy non-reactive saucepan, stir together the mustard, brown sugar, vinegar, and beer. Season with chili powder and black, white, and cayenne peppers. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, and cook for about 20 minutes. DO NOT BOIL, or you will scorch the sugar and peppers.

Mix in the Worcestershire sauce, butter, and liquid smoke. Simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes. Taste, and season with hot sauce to your liking. Pour into an airtight jar, and refrigerate for overnight to allow flavors to blend. The vinegar taste may be a little strong until the sauce completely cools.

Most Helpful Positive Review

Jan 25, 2004

Living in Charleston, I have had this type of sauce dozens of times, but this recipe is just what I was looking for. It's a little spicier than most, but I prefer a sweet-hot sauce. Also, omitted the liquid smoke and it was still great! Thanks for a great recipe!!

Most Helpful Critical Review

Apr 11, 2011

This recipe was a little to Mustardy for myself but my husband LOVED it. If it were up to him he would've given it 5 stars. I love the vinegar in it, so next time i will cut down the mustard by half and actually add more vinegar. After the sauce was completed I went ahead and added my own personal touches but stayed true to the Carolina way and did not add any red sauce to it.

Wow! As I prepared the sauce I seriously had doubts about this recipe. However after basting it over grilled chicken during the final stages of cooking, I became a believer. I could drink this sauce! I did do some slight modifications. I reduced the mustard to 3/4 cup, and used the pepper in moderation. (We have little kids)--hence, not so spicy. Still, it was fabulous! Thanks for such a great recipe!

i cut the mustard down to 3/4 cup and added 1/4 cup honey to take off the edge of what i knew would be a tangy sauce. cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the crock pot with the sauce, and my husband loved it! we recently moved to north carolina, and this sauce stands up to what we've had in the highest-recommended diners here!

Thank you Thank you thank you! I am a Carolinian and with my own slight adjustments, I found this to be the closest to what I grew up with.....my family butchered their own meats and held their own pig pickins- Just like my grandaddy's..who was a butcher by trade! Thanks again for sharing.

I made this sauce this weekend and it turned out really great. The next day I cooked a pork roast in the slow cooker until it fell apart then added this wonderful sauce to it. My husband thought it was just like what he had had in the Carolinas. Thanks for a great BBQ sauce!!!

This was excellent. I browned 5 lbs. of boneless chops, slathered them with this sauce and cooked them on low in the crock pot with about 3/4 cup of sauce. When they were falling apart I added the balance of the sauce (only made 2 cups of sauce) and shredded the meat. We had sandwiches the next day and my Carolina-raised husband said it was the best barbeque sandwich he'd ever eaten. I steamed the buns and topped the BBQ with a little extra hot sauce and regular slaw (as opposed to BBQ slaw) Yummy - better than 5 stars!

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.